Smartphone apps shake up Hong Kong transport and delivery services
Three apps employed by rival transport networks have revolutionised delivery services in the city
Ray Liu started working as a van driver to transport goods nine months ago. He didn't look forward to getting up in the morning because he was frustrated at the way call centres just gave him a client's phone number and expected him to do the rest: call to determine pick-up and drop-off points and what needed moving, and to negotiate the price.
"If I called and couldn't get through, and I told the operator that, she'd say: 'Driver, please listen carefully and don't waste my time. Here's the number.' Maybe she'd get one digit wrong, and you might have several exchanges over the phone," says Liu, 38. "Once I was driving, talking on the phone, trying to get an order straight and taking notes, and a policeman was glaring at me the entire time."
When he started each day, Liu had no idea whether he would get one job or 10.
Fortunately for Liu, there are now three technology companies in Hong Kong dedicated to making life easier for van drivers, and anyone who needs something delivered.
Liu now finds work through EasyVan, a hi-tech start-up that allows people to hire vans and their drivers using a smartphone app. Customers who need a van input their details into the app. Then, drivers can see these orders for themselves, with the destination and price - determined by the distance - so they don't need to go through a call centre.
EasyVan, founded in 2013, now operates in several other cities, including Singapore, Bangkok and Shenzhen. The company has signed up more than 11,000 drivers in Hong Kong alone. Last month, EasyVan secured US$10 million in investment to expand across Southeast Asia.